March 11, 2010

The North Shore of Oahu is the surfing capital of the Islands, where waves can sometimes reach 50 feet. This was not the case on Tuesday as the waves here at Sunset Beach were only about 5 feet and attracted only two surfers. Even the famous Bonzai Pipeline failed to materialize in the wimpy surf. However the scenery was spectacular as always. Further along, a pair of Green Sea Turtles had come up on the beach to sun bathe and attracted a sizeable crowd. Volunteer Rangers ensured that the turtles had adequate space and that no one disturbed them. Heading back to Honolulu through the pineapple fields we were treated to a crew planting one of the few remaining pineapple fields in Hawaii. My little camera's telephoto is somewhat blurred but you get the idea. It is back breaking work for 17 dollars per hour. Planting and harvesting are all done by hand and no one wants to do it any more. Our last stop was at the Dole Pineapple Plant where they have a pond with dozens and dozens of koi. For 25 cents you can buy a few pellets of food to throw to them. The frenzy created is hilarious as they climb up onto the backs of those below them, then realize that they can't breathe and try in vain to fight their way back down into the water through the mass of bodies.